Ravenclaw Fluff

I wrote this a while ago but never posted it up for everyone here to see. Criticisms and comments are welcome to point out anything inconsistent.
Ravenclaw Space Marine Chapter
Advantages: (Fierce/Courageous) No mercy no respite, See but Don’t be Seen
Disadvantages: Eye to Eye, Death Before Dishonour
Battlecry: Corvus Dominatus!
Homeworld:

Northrend, Capital world within the Northrend sector located deep within Segmentum Tempestus. It is a cold planet, with the entire world covered in a thick layer of frozen ice. The two great oceans are covered in an eternal place of ice and the land is buried in it, only the highest elevations of the mountains rising through the snow. Life is harsh here but many urban cities have developed within the crevasses and valleys created by the mountains, mining the valuable ores and metals found deep within. These mining facilities are very productive, able to provide enough resources for Northrend to produce enough war materials to equal a forgeworld. Another great wonder of the planet is the vast and endless caverns of ice formed long ago that still stand today. This is where the Ravenclaws make their fortress monastery “The Crystal Palace”. Located deep within the largest mountain range, “The Crystal Palace” is home to the great caverns of ice, famed for their natural beauty and great works of carved ice that praised to the holy Emperor. Here is where the Ravenclaw marines reside, their great armory and geneseed reserves hidden in an impenetrable fortress of metal and ice. In the greatest catacombs rest the bodies of the greatest heroes of the chapter, locked away and preserved by the cold. Defense batteries are scattered throughout all of the mountains on this world, ready to fight off any invading fleets.

Surrounding planets include Cyrus and Skadi, agricultural worlds with a warmer climate dotted with lush green valleys and forests. Tarsonis is a tropical paradise, being close to the sun this sector orbits around. Avaria is a barren rocky world, with most of its resources used to create the great fleets of the Ravenclaws. Most of the fleet is stationed here but the moons orbiting the planets within this section serve as stations also. All of these planets are valuable sources of recruits for the chapter.

Geneseed History:

The Ravenclaw chapter is derived from the Ravenguard geneseed but does not pass on the corrupted traits caused by Corax’s zygote acceleration experiments. Variations soon occurred when the geneseed was introduced to the native population of the Northrend sector.

The occulobe organ functioned much better compared to other chapters, taking on the enhanced eyesight of ravens. The Neuroglottis also seems to perform much better, letting Ravenclaw Space Marines able to track their quarry by the lingering scent they leave behind in the war zone. The Ossmudula implant is of slight variation, coating in a lighter but just as dense layer to strengthen the bones, woven around the original bone to make a hollow casing supported by cartilage. On average, Ravenclaw Space Marines are lighter than their other counterparts because of this. However the Sus-an membrane is rejected by the neophytes inducted from these sectors and the Melanochrome does not work as effectively compared to other chapters.

Appearance:

Statistically speaking, Ravenclaw marines are lighter compared to other chapters because of the mutation on the Ossmudula implant changing the additional bone structures to mimic hollow bird bones.
Their main armor is Dark Angel’s green with blood red eye lenses and the left shoulder guard painted Rotting Flesh. Veterans of the 1st company and ranking members within the chapter may have variations of what shoulder pad they put it on along with additional details they are allowed to decorate upon their armor. Their chapter symbol is a winged raven skull. Veterans may also paint their helmet or knee pads white or rotting flesh.

Organization:
Founded in the 35th millennium, the Ravenclaw Space Marines are organized like a codex chapter, only differentiating in a couple ways. Marines are trained to be highly independent from command, operating covertly by themselves until the major assault begins. This also helps them remain focused and concentrated even when allied forces are cut off from them. Another change would be that the sniper scouts found in the chapter are all veterans, as only they have the honor of being issued such a powerful and precise weapon.
Another would be that squads within a company are called “Wings” instead. They rely more on infantry operations then armor, as on their homeworld of Northrend, tanks and bikes get bogged down by their snowy environment, not being able to keep up with the rest of their forces.
The last change is that the chapter master also functions as the High Chaplain for the Ravenclaws.

Combat doctrine:

The Ravenclaws are specialists in rapid deployment and drop pod assaults, usually incorporating both elements in a battle plan. They do use guerilla and infiltration tactics at the start but when they finally reveal themselves they prefer to end it eye to eye with the enemy to personally see the objective is secured. The use of tanks and bikes are usually discouraged since they cannot keep up with the rest of the forces.
In combat, Ravenclaw Space Marines take note of every enemy unit and their positions, relaying them to other Wings as to keep constant intel coming in. This leads to the almost systematic elimination of enemy forces as every Racenclaw marine is informed where they are, what they are armed with, and their current action on the field. Every marine in the strike force are systematically networked to share tactical data, their HUD highlighting friendly targets in green and enemies or objectives in red. Camera feeds attached to each marine in the strike force allows visual intel also.

Because of the veterans residing in the sniper scouts, the Ravenclaw chapter usually has great intel on the enemy forces and uses them to their advantage, their specialization in rapid deployment allows them to deploy marines in advantageous positions that wreak havoc in the enemy battle lines. Either through infiltrating, sewer tunnels, or drop pods, the chapter always finds a way for their marines to strike at the most vulnerable points of the enemy. These troops are supported by the famed assault squads that advance quickly amidst the war zone to close upon the enemy and cut a bloody swathe through the battle line to reunite with the tactical marines already deep inside enemy territory.
Another technique incorporates is the “Death from Above” strategy, where whirlwinds bombard enemy positions as drop pods holding the feared terminators of the chapter are deployed straight into the war zone to either start the assault or assist the marines behind enemy lines in finishing off the enemy. This is a devastating technique, as sniper fire and whirlwind bombardments herald the assault from above in the form of drop pods and assault marines….and below in the form of the rapid deployment of Wings already deep in enemy lines.

This strategy however, has problems dealing with great amounts of armor but changes in the battle plan can easily negate that advantage into a hindrance. (for example….tanks traps would be utilized and special tank hunter wings would be hiding amidst the urban war zone to deal with the armored threat. Preemptive strikes to destroy ammunition and fuel would also be considered.)

Rites of Initiation:

To become one of the Ravenclaws, initiates must travel to Northrend and make it to the gates of the fortress without any provisions other than a knife and the clothes on their back. If having survived the harshest of conditions on the planet, through the foreboding wilderness and ice caverns, the initiate will be welcomed into the halls of the “Crystal Palace” where the chapter will screen them for any mutations and if their warrior spirit is worthy enough to join them. If chosen, the initiate will be given his quarters and begin the long and hard journey to becoming a space marine, receiving additional implants and organs along the way. During this time, the initiates learn the many basic rules of warfare as laid down by the Codex and also of the great history of the Ravenclaws. They are also inducted into the Scout company to assist their senior brethren on the battlefield.

Initiates also must pass 3 trials unique to the Ravenclaws to become a true Space Marine.

The first task is to track a black raven across the snow covered mountain range and bring it back to the fortress alive. The raven will then be cyberized to link with that initiates power armor and become his own personal messenger throughout the entire fortress.
The second task is to go into the deepest parts of the ice caverns and retrieve the power armor that has been placed there as a reward. This journey could take days if not weeks because of the vastness of this natural wonder.
The last task is more of a celebration because the initiates must find their way to the main capital of Northrend. In the city is scattered hundreds of ravens made of ice….however one (or maybe a couple depending on how many scouts are being initiated during this time) is made of crystal. The initiate must locate it and bring it to the town square where the chapter master and thousands of civilians will greet and cheer as the initiate dons his power armor for the first time and receives his holy bolter to bring death to the enemies of mankind. This is usually followed by a week of festivities celebrating the new birth(s) in the chapter.

Chapter Specific Traditions:

The jump pack is favored by the Ravenclaw Space Marines for its speed and ease of deployment. Because of its importance, many courses have been created throughout the mountain range for jump pack troops to hone their skills. Using the natural environment, these courses are quite challenging even for the super-human abilities of the Ravenclaws. Racing through these tracks and courses are considered leisure activities to the marines, honing their jump pack skills while letting them indulge in competition. The term for racing through these courses is called a “joyride”. Yearly competitions are held for all civilians and space marine alike to attend for a day of competition and celebration.

A unique daily ritual is the feeding and tending to the great masses of cybernetic ravens that inhabit the higher reaches of the fortress.

The captain of each company is awarded and one-of-a-kind melee weapon upon their promotion to that rank. These 10 weapons are extremely elaborate and unique, passed down to each captain when the former falls in combat. These weapons are called “The Talons of Corax”, named after the primarch of their geneseed. The 1st talon, taking the form of a double bladed spear, is utilized by Zephyr Blackwind, the current chapter master.

The Ravenclaws are as devoted to the Emperor as any codex chapter, but consider the greatest prayer the slaughter of the enemies of mankind. Nothing is acceptable other than the complete eradication of xenos wherever they may be found. They are always the first to send forces to wherever a xeno threat arises and study the data gathered from these confrontations to better understand how to purge the alien. Joint training seminars are organized between the Ordo Xenos and the Ravenclaw Space Marines to better learn how to fight the many kinds of xenos in the universe. These training programs, combined with the data obtained from confrontations in the war zone, make Ravenclaw Space Marines one of the greatest chapters at countering xeno threats. Many of the veterans are frequently referred to the Deathwatch for their combat expertise against xenos.

Military History:

After having founded their chapter, the Ravenclaws ushered in a new era of peace in this sector as the occasional invading orks were driven off in a crusade alongside the Black Templars, scouring the greenskin menace from much of the Segmentum Tempestus sector. Their first encounter with xenos proved to be a success and today they still play a huge part in keeping this area of space in the Imperium’s control. During Abbadon’s 13th black crusade, 3 companies of Ravenclaw’s were sent to Cadia to assist in fighting off the forces of Chaos. Isolated in one of the hive cities and cut off from support, the Ravenclaws and the Imperial Guard forces with them held the uppermost part of the hive city until help came in the form of the Grey Knights in clearing out the demonic infestation of Nurgle. This came at great cost however since the Ravenclaws are better suited for an offensive campaign and they suffered heavily from it.
During the 3rd war of Armageddon, Ravenclaw Space Marines spear fronted the assault into the greenskin forces held up in Helsreach Hive, driving the orks back to the unbearable wastelands of the world where they were easily destroyed in the open. When the splinter fleets of kraken came, the Ravenclaws assisted in the defense of many worlds in their region, driving off the Devourer time and time again in its attempts to consume the planets in this region. Strike forces of Ravenclaws responded to calls for help against the newly awakening Necrontyr threat across the entire segmentum.

Recently, the Ravenclaws participated in the Dark Crusade along with the Black Templars to scour the xeno threat from the Imperium, landing many decisive victories against the Eldar and Ork forces. During the War of the Third Sphere, 30 Ravenclaw Space Marines were able to infiltrate onto a Imperial planet that has been recently claimed by the invasibe Tau forces. Through covert operations and guerilla tactics, they destroyed ammo dumps, communcation centers, and supplies. This left the Tau in dissaray, making it much easier for the crusading Black Templars to engage the Tau forces on the ground and retake the planet. These actions and more have take a great toll on the invading Tau forces, turning the 3rd Sphere Expansion into a stalemate.

Now the great companies of the Ravenclaws are engaged in a bitter cityfight on Medusa V. Their combat expertise and experience against every faction has proven to be invaluable, driving off all manners of threats from Sybilla Primus and clearing away enemy forces using the Ash Wastes as staging points for attacks on Imperial forces tasked in defending the Hydra region.

*Update* Ravenclaw forces were able to act as a counterstrike unit and rapid-reaction force throughout the city, fighting off many surprise assaults upon Sybilla Primus. They cleansed the city of xenos and heretic taint but at a cost. Chief Librarian Farion was lost with his retinue of terminators when the vile servants of Slannesh cut them off from support. Ravenclaw reinforcements found him inside a ruined cathedral, his body a few feet away from the dying form of a greater daemon of Slannesh, having slain his enemy before succumbing to the vile poisons that tainted the blade the daemon held. The chapter mourns this loss but leaves Medusa V as the victor of a bitter battle during the world’s last days.

Um... I have only one qualm with this. It deals with the chapter's battles against the Tau.

The Tau do not have many 'invasive' forces. In fact, they only have one: Commander Shadowsun's main Tau fleet. That is the combined full armies of three septs and lesser groups from others. Considering that, I find it unlikely such a small group as thirty Space Marines could do all that much, xeno hunter or not. There is no precedent for any Imperial force to have ever made a decisive victory against the Tau. The Damocles Gulf Crusade ended in a stalemate, and the battles of the Third Sphere are little more than skirmishes really. All the major defenses are being diverted towards the Tyranid invasion. The few remaining defenders tried to fortify a couple important worlds, but they were smashed and fortified for the Tau.

I just find the whole idea of the Tau thing unlikely. I'm not saying thirty Space Marines couldn't theoretically destroy a garrison of Tau (theoretically), but the manner in which the Tau conduct war would prevent it. And Black Templars? When did the Black Templars get into it with the Tau? Did I miss something there?

Anyway, that's my thoughts. You might want to get another opinion though.

"My capacity for hard work is immense. It's my willingness to do said work that's lacking..."

Um... I have only one qualm with this. It deals with the chapter's battles against the Tau.

The Tau do not have many 'invasive' forces. In fact, they only have one: Commander Shadowsun's main Tau fleet. That is the combined full armies of three septs and lesser groups from others. Considering that, I find it unlikely such a small group as thirty Space Marines could do all that much, xeno hunter or not. There is no precedent for any Imperial force to have ever made a decisive victory against the Tau. The Damocles Gulf Crusade ended in a stalemate, and the battles of the Third Sphere are little more than skirmishes really. All the major defenses are being diverted towards the Tyranid invasion. The few remaining defenders tried to fortify a couple important worlds, but they were smashed and fortified for the Tau.

I just find the whole idea of the Tau thing unlikely. I'm not saying thirty Space Marines couldn't theoretically destroy a garrison of Tau (theoretically), but the manner in which the Tau conduct war would prevent it. And Black Templars? When did the Black Templars get into it with the Tau? Did I miss something there?

Anyway, that's my thoughts. You might want to get another opinion though.

It was during the Dark Crusade Campaign last here where many tau commanders could expand their Empire by recording victories and losses during the campaign. The Black Templars led the counterstrike against many of them but in the end we failed in majority. I can change it to skirmishes however since most conflicts were just that. (this was before Medusa V)

And the 30 marines didn't destroy them, they just lead guerilla strikes to destroy ammo dumps and communication centers to leave the Tau in disarray so the Black Templars had an easier time taking back the Imperial planet. (will clarify on this part a bit)

You can take a look in the Cityfight Codex and review the battle between the Vostroyans and Tau cadre underneath Shas'o Brightsword *this was during the War for the Third Sphere*. After the tau wiped out most of the populace the Black Templars came and retook the city.

Oh ok, that makes more sense. The way I was reading it the thirty marines killed most of the Tau there and the Black Templars just mopped up:wacko:

I don't have the city-fight codex, unfortunately. It's hard enough to get the figures and paint, extra codexes are simply out of my budget:cry:

Anyway, thanks for the explanation and clarification. I'll try and bum a cityfight codex from someone, the only information I have on the Brightsword comes from the Tau codex, and the entry of the Koloth Gorge Massacre on Nimbosa. By the way, does anyone know what happened to the Imperial Envoy and the accompanying Imperial Fist space marines that tried to delay the assault? Did the Tau just let them go or what?

-Thanks for the clarification again. Overall solid fluff. Why don't you post up a battle narrative if you have one. Those are always nice additions.

-ProfessorCurly-

"My capacity for hard work is immense. It's my willingness to do said work that's lacking..."

I believe he means a short story of a battle in your Chapter's history, perhaps from the eyes of a Sergeant? If you need examples, there are plenty on the Fluff boards here. I can think of a few that stand out well.

Your Fluff is good, I like the fact that you've used some Real-World references as names (ie: Northrend from Warcraft III, Ravenclaw, etc.)

I believe he means a short story of a battle in your Chapter's history, perhaps from the eyes of a Sergeant? If you need examples, there are plenty on the Fluff boards here. I can think of a few that stand out well.

Your Fluff is good, I like the fact that you've used some Real-World references as names (ie: Northrend from Warcraft III, Ravenclaw, etc.)

X-Slash-X

haha I was waiting for someone to catch the warcraft stuff.

okay I'll get working on the story and hopefully have it up by Tuesday.